Oyo Government Confers 'Justice of the Peace' on 345 Citizens

The Oyo State Government has officially conferred the title of Justice of the Peace (JP) on 345 distinguished citizens, charging them to view the honour as a solemn call to service rather than a mere decorative status. The investiture ceremony, which took place on Thursday at the House of Chiefs, Parliament Building, State Secretariat in Ibadan, was attended by top government functionaries, members of the judiciary, religious leaders, and dignitaries from across the state.

Presiding over the event, the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Barr. Adebayo Lawal, congratulated the appointees and emphasized the constitutional weight of their new title. He noted that their selection was a testament to their clean track records and dissociation from criminal activities. However, he issued a stern warning against the misuse of the office, stating that the award is withdrawable if any recipient infringes on the guidelines or attempts to turn the title into a business venture. "Take your time to find sources of documents before you swear an oath, assign signature and stamps to avoid signing an illegal document," Lawal advised.

In his address, the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Hon. Abiodun Adedeji Aikomo, described the office as a functional tool for social engineering within the "Omituntun 2.0" agenda. He cautioned the new JPs against becoming "local tyrants," urging them to exercise their authority with humility. Aikomo highlighted their critical role in de-escalating land disputes in rural communities, mediating commercial friction in markets, and protecting citizens from fraud through diligent document certification.

Also speaking, Hon. Justice Adedeji Ishola, representing the Chief Judge of Oyo State, reiterated the need for strict adherence to laid-down principles, calling for patience and clarity in the discharge of their duties. An enlightenment lecture delivered by Prof. Adeniyi Olatunbosun further described the office as a moral anchor for society, reminding the JPs of their duty to promote the rule of law and ensure the authenticity of documents brought before them. The event concluded with a vote of thanks from the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Justice, Mrs. Are Olubunmi Oluwatoyin.